HELINA missile validates ability to kill enemy tanks in high-altitude battlefields

Vishal Thapar Apr 11, 2022

India’s indigenously developed helicopter-launched anti-tank missile ‘HELINA’ was declared ready for integration with the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) after a successfully test-firing in user validation trials at high-altitude ranges on April 11.

“In continuation to validation trials conducted at Pokhran, proof of efficacy at high altitudes paves the way for its integration on ALH,” the Ministry of Defence (MoD) declared in a statement.

This is the latest success for India in its efforts to seek self-reliance in missile weaponry.

The indigenous ALH-HELINA solution gives more options for airborne fire support to Indian Army formations in varied theatres, and envisages destroying enemy tanks in high-altitude battlefields.

The MoD termed the HELINA as “one of the most advanced Anti-Tank weapons in the world”.

“The flight trials were conducted from an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and the missile was fired successfully engaging simulated tank target. The missile is guided by an Infrared Imaging Seeker (IIR) operating in the Lock on Before Launch mode,” the statement elaborated on the test firing.

The flight-test was jointly conducted by the teams of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Army and Indian Air Force as part of the user validation trials.

The trials were witnessed by senior Army officers and military scientists.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and DRDO Chairman Dr Satheesh Reddy congratulated the DRDO and the Indian Army for the success on their collaborative effort in validating the HELINA.